Page 79 of The Duchess’ Modiste

“You don’t need an excuse,” Chloe reminded him, her eyelids fluttering closed as she waited for that kiss.

“Perhaps not,” he acknowledged, his voice deep, holding off from kissing her. When that kiss didn’t happen and they both just stood there, Chloe opened one eye, smiling playfully.

“You’re teasing me.”

“Maybe a little.” At his words, she tapped him around the arm, prompting him to laugh. “I rather like teasing you.”

“I had noticed!”

“Then let me make it up to you.” He caught her hand before she could walk away and return to her work. “I’ve set something up for this evening.”

“What is that?” she asked clearly distracted as she looked down at their joined hands.

“An evening picnic in Hyde Park. A string quartet are playing a concert on the bandstand. Maeve and Benjamin are coming, along with Miss Baker and Lord Gloucester too. In fact, they should be here any minute with the food.” He pointed at the door, watching as Chloe’s eyes widened.

“That sounds lovely, why didn’t you tell me about it before?”

“Because I feared you would say you had too much work to do and couldn’t come.” Leo grimaced with the words. More than once of late had Maeve complained to him that she didn’t get to see her friend as much as before, for Chloe was either working or spending time with Leo.

Much to my joy!

“So, what do you say?” Leo asked. Before Chloe could answer, there was a knock on the door. Chloe hurried to it and opened it wide, revealing not only Miss Baker and Lord Gloucester, but Maeve and Benjamin too, with Nathan clutching his father’s hand. In the boy’s other grasp were two toy horses.

“We’ll be late!” Maeve declared through the open door. “We must go if we are not to miss the concert. Say you are coming, Chloe, please? As I understand it from Leo, it takes some persuasion to get you out of this shop.”

“I am not that bad.” Chloe protested and looked back to Leo. As he picked up his top hat and one of her bonnets off the counter for her, he winked, showing his true thoughts. “I’ll get better at managing my time.”

“I know you will.” As he passed her the bonnet, his hand brushed hers, subtly. The way she smiled thrilled Leo.

She feels as I feel. Why did we not tell each other the truth sooner?

Leo found that thought often in his mind these days, not that he minded their story. The way he had professed his love for Chloe in the garden was a memory he would never forget, just as the way she had told him she loved him back was another cherished moment.

One of my happiest memories!

“Let us go then, for Rosaline is already halfway there,” Chloe said with a laugh as she gestured at how Rosaline was hurrying them all down the street.

Leo watched as Chloe locked up the shop, then they all turned in the direction of Hyde Park. Soon enough, Nathan released his father’s hand and came to stand at Leo’s side, taking his hand instead.

“There you are, Nathan, and how are you today?” As they had a distance to walk, Leo decided to carry his nephew. He bent down to pick up the boy and place him on his hip.

“Happy!” Nathan declared, as Chloe hurried to walk alongside them. “Look? The horses aren’t lonely tonight.”

“Lonely?” Chloe repeated, her brows furrowed.

“Uncle Leo said the toys must have friends,” Nathan pointed out in his innocent way. “Otherwise, they get lonely.”

Leo cleared his throat, rather shocked at the way his open thoughts had now been repeated back to Chloe.

“Did you know loneliness, Leo?” she asked, taking his free arm and looping her hand through the crook of his elbow.

“Not anymore.” He bent down and whispered the words in her ear, so Nathan couldn’t hear him. Chloe smiled in answer, as they hurried into Hyde Park.

On the way, there was much joy. Nathan happily chatted about his horses and frequently passed one to Chloe so that she could join in with the game. Maeve and Benjamin hurried on, eager not to be late, and Miss Baker practically dragged Lord Gloucester to the event, much to Lord Gloucester’s amusement. Leo found himself looking between the couple knowingly.

It will not be long before they are wed, I know it.

The thought made him glance down to Chloe at his side as they entered the park. There was something he had to ask her, something that he couldn’t wait much longer before asking, and tonight would be the night, if the opportunity presented itself.

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